April 26, 2002

Final Stats

Statesboro, Ga. - Western Carolina sophomore Todd Roper extended his season-high hitting streak to 12 games, but it was not enough as Georgia Southern defeated the Catamounts, 4-2, in the first of a three-game series Friday night at J.I. Clements Stadium.

Georgia Southern (28-18, 14-8 SoCon) and Western Carolina (25-16, 14-8) are now tied for second place in the league, two and a half games behind The Citadel. The two teams will play a single game on Saturday at 1:30, followed by a single game on Sunday at 1:30 pm.

The Catamounts got on the board first, scoring a run in the top of the third. Roper, who had two of WCU's six hits on the evening, scored on Ryan Schade's single to right. The Eagles answered with a run of their own in the bottom half. Chad Hall drew a leadoff walk and, after a sacrifice bunt, scored on a single by Jamel Spearman.

Western regained its advantage in the fifth. Roper opened the frame with a single off the leg of GSU starting pitcher Dennis Dove. A single by Rod Goldston (2-for-3) advanced Roper to third. Schade followed with his second single of the day, plating Roper on the play.

Georgia Southern took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth with a pair of runs. Spearman, who was 3-for-4, singled, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. Rusty Herring drove in Spearman with a double down the right field line and scored on a single by Carlos Love.

The Eagles added an insurance run in the seventh, taking advantage of a WCU error. Chris Walker singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. He would score after an inflield single by Spearman and a throwing error on the play at the plate.

For the second consecutive outing, Jared Burton (5-4) had a solid outing, but could not pull out the win. He only allowed five hits and three runs with four walks to go along with his nine strike outs. Dan Foley also had a solid performance. The senior gave up three hits and an unearned run in two innings.

Dove also did not factor in the win, fanning nine Catamounts in six-plus innings. Relief pitcher Scott Tolbert (4-3) got the win, allowing no hits or runs with two walks and three strike outs in two innings. Jason Cadenhead picked up his fifth save despite walking two in the ninth.